'Forgive Everyone': Muslim Bangle Seller, Fake Allegations & Battle for Justice

A Muslim bangle seller narrates his three-year ordeal before acquittal in false molestation charges in Indore.

A Muslim Bangle Seller, Bogus Molestation Claims & a Long Battle for Acquittal

(Photo: The Quint)

"I was selling bangles in New Govind Nagar of Banganga police station area when someone called me and asked my name. When I told them my name was Tasleem, they started beating me, broke my mobile, and incited others to join the attack."

On 21 August, 2021, Tasleem Ali, a bangle seller was assaulted by a mob in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

However, when he approached the police to register a complaint along with some of his supporters, cases were filed against his supporters as well.

Hailing from Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, and the sole breadwinner in a family of seven, he came to Madhya Pradesh in search of better earnings.

During the attack, the mob allegedly looted all his goods and brutally thrashed him. The video of the incident went viral on social media, leading many to extend help to Tasleem, but his legal acquittal has come after over three years of struggle for justice.

(Photo: Adnan Ali/ The Quint)

A few days later, Tasleem learned that he was booked under nine sections, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), molestation, and cheating. The mob accused Tasleem of molesting a minor girl while selling bangles. He was arrested and spent 108 days in jail before securing bail.

“Thankfully, my family and I didn’t face any humiliation, as everyone knew that the case was a false one, I had only gone there to do my business, the whole village is involved in the bangle trade. I have three daughters—why would I harm someone else's daughter? When I was sent to jail in Indore, my family, my mother, my wife, and my daughters — all came to meet me.” 

Baseless FIR, Bogus Claims of Molestation

On 2 December, 2024, the court acquitted Tasleem after three years.

“I’ll never forget that day. It was the first time I had ever seen a police station or a jail. I’d never dealt with the police before. But now, after being acquitted, I forgive everyone. I believed in the Constitution, and I got the justice I deserved," he told The Quint.

The mob had also found two Aadhaar cards in his bag with different names — one as Tasleem and the other as Asleem. However, the court ruled the FIR as baseless. Tasleem’s Aadhaar and voter ID were found genuine, and no evidence of fraud was established. 

(Photo: Adnan Ali/ The Quint)

When the incident had taken place in 2021, the then Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Narottam Mishra of the Bhartiya Janata Party in a press conference had claimed that Tasleem “was selling bangles under a Hindu name and two fake Aadhaar cards were found with him.”

Tasleem explained that he had no knowledge of this, as he cannot read or write, and only knows how to sign his name. 

“I think that’s why the mix-up with the cards happened. The mob accused me of having two Aadhaar cards, and while I do have two, I later learnt that both had the same number. One was in my wallet, and the other was in my bag, where my children had put it. That’s why they found two cards on me,” Tasleem claimed.

The minor girl, whom Tasleem was accused of molesting, testified in court that she had never seen him before. In the verdict, the special POCSO judge stated that the prosecution failed to prove Tasleem molested the girl or attempted to hide his identity. 

'The Incident Has Traumatised Me for Life'

Tasleem has since left Madhya Pradesh and now sells bangles in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. He avoids selling door-to-door and instead prefers to set up stalls in fairs. 

“This incident has traumatised me. Now, I rent shops at fairs to sell bangles. I have never returned to Indore for business,” Tasleem said.

The activists and concerned citizens who came forward to help Tasleem also faced legal battles. Zaid Pathan, the state coordinator of Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Madhya Pradesh and one of the 28 individuals who supported Tasleem, said: “We were charged with inciting riots and disturbing peace while we were simply seeking police help. I am happy that Tasleem is acquitted.”

(Photo: Adnan Ali/ The Quint)

Tasleem's lawyer, Sheikh Aleem, pointed out that the complainant herself didn't identify Tasleem in court. He also mentioned that the statements the police presented weren’t hers and that the three-day delay in filing the report only made things more suspicious.

Regarding the Aadhaar card discrepancy, Aleem said: “The current and former village heads testified that both Aadhaar cards had the same number and that Tasleem was known by two names in his village. Errors in the name and surname occurred due to this dual identity.”

Aleem also mentioned that Tasleem received financial assistance of ₹1.2 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, facilitated by the panchayat. 

During the conversation with Tasleem, he mentioned an individual named Ehtesham Hasmi, a Supreme Court Lawyer, who represented him in the beginning, but unfortunately passed away in February 2023.

“In December, I received bail due to Hasmi bhai, I wasn’t even able to afford any legal fees, yet he helped me throughout. He wasn’t just a lawyer to me, but a lifeline,” he said. 

Hasmi’s Junior, Jwalant Singh Chauhan, while recalling Ehtesham’s hard work said: “During the infamous Choodi-wala case, I saw Shri Ehtesham Hashmi’s unmatched dedication. He regularly flew from Delhi to Indore, spent long hours in court and covered all costs from his pocket, because he just wanted to help Tasleem get out of this lawsuit.”